The
New YorkChapterIn
June 7, 1969,the Black Panther newspaper
published an article about the formation of the Rainbow Coalition,
an alliance made up of the Black Panthers, the Young Patriots Organization,
white working class youths, and the Young Lords Organization in Chicago. Inspired
by the Chicago Young Lords, a group of young people established a
chapter in New York City in July 1969 and subsequent branches in
Philadelphia, Bridgeport, Newark, Boston and Puerto Rico. The Young
Lords set up community programs: free breakfast for children, community
testing for tuberculosis and lead poisoning, free clothing drives,
cultural events and Puerto Rican history classes.

The
Young Lords addressed issues concerning prisoners, women, the working
poor, Vietnam war veterans and high school students. They summarized
their political beliefs and goals in a 13-point
program, published and distributed a newspaper called PALANTE and
produced a weekly radio show on WBAI also called PALANTE.

The
People's ChurchIn
late 1969, the Young Lords took over a church in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem)
that had refused use of its available space for a breakfast program for
neighborhood children. The Young Lords renamed it the "People's
Church," and it became a symbol of the fight for social justice
by Puerto Rican people in the United States.

Health
Programs The
Young Lords exposed the horrible health conditions faced by poor
people in New York City. In April and July, 1970, the Young Lords
organized several actions (Offensives) at Lincoln
Hospital in the South Bronx. A takeover of the hospital
resulted in the establishment of a drug rehabilitation program
that served about 500 patients weekly. For 25 years prior, the
hospital had been scheduled for demolition, yet it was the only
facility available to local residents. As a result of the takeovers,
an agreement was reached to build a new Lincoln Hospital. (See
10 point Health Program.)

Free
Puerto Rico!The
Young Lords also organized for the independence of Puerto Rico. In
1971, the Young Lords together with the Puerto Rican Student Union
(PRSU) mobilized 1,000 students for a conference held at Columbia
University. The purpose was to set up "Free Puerto Rico Now
Committees" in high schools and colleges. Subsequently, they
organized a mass demonstration in which 10,000 people marched from
El Barrio to the United Nations to demand the independence of Puerto
Rico, freedom for political prisoners and an end to police brutality.
Through direct community action and education, the Young Lords made
an impact on the conditions and consciousness of Puerto Rican and
Latino/a communities across the United States.